I'm new to the site today! I have a question about choosing a scope for my newly purchased T/C Encore pistol in 209/50 caliber muzzle-loader.I have asked several people their thoughts on what to get and some say Eotech or something along the same lines, others say Nikon EER and so on ... If I had to guess this pistol will not shoot over 75 yards so I don't need huge magnification. Some scopes like the VX3 Leupold 2.5x8 has a small field of view.. Please help ?????? I will be whitetail deer hunting with it in Southern Maryland. The pistol is Stainless so I'm set on a matte finish....

A 4X Weaver would be plenty of scope and is perfectly suited to the hunting you describe.

Where in SOMD are you?? I go to St. Mary's County every year for striper fishing and deer hunting. In fact, I'm going down to Hollywood in about two weeks.

Welcome to HH! Congrats on your new encore. First, that gun will shoot past 75 yards. If your not wanting much magnification and you do want a large field of view, any 2x or 4x scope from Burris, Nikon, Weaver or Leupold would be great choices. Just depends on what you want to spend as to which on you choose. I own all mentioned, except Leupold, and I've had no problems with any.

Welcome! If it's under 100 yards & you want a scope go w/a 2X. W/those ranges you'd be fine w/a Red/green dot as well I think. I'm unfamiliar w/using a muzzle loading handgun for hunting so I don't know what the capabilities are. I'm sure you do. Beyond 100 yards a little more magnification is good. I'm not a fan of big scopes myself. But that depends on the ranges. Used 2X are easy to come by. I've used most of the name brands & they were all good. A couple guys here are pretty happy w/Weaver. Seems like a lot of bang for the $$$. I'll bet somone here uses a set up like yours. As far as 2X goes. I still have the Leupold.

What are your thoughts about the Eotech red dot with 1x magnification? I hear its hard to get on a moving deer in the woods with a small field of view scope.... Does anyone have any knowlege on the Eotech in a hunting situation?

I live in Nanjemoy , Md . The most south west point of Charles County...

Never used an Eotech in the woods.

Not sure where your town is...usually just jump in with my buddy that lives down there and let him drive while I look around.

We have EOTECH's on our rifles at works & I've only shot them at moving & still targets (targets not game). Our training is pretty active & the Eotechs have been great. Target aquisition is pretty fast. It's personal though. Some people love them for hunting & others not so much. The Bushnell Holo site is almost the same & a lot less money. Same maker.

Maybe I'll look into the Nikon EER... Has anyone used or have knowledge of some elses experince with one?

I have two Nikons; 2x monarch and 2.5x8 monarch. They are very nice scopes. The 2x was on a 475 linebaugh. Now replaced with the 2.5x8. The 2x now sets atop a 30/30 win barrel. The Nikons have very nice glass.

I had a 2X Nikon & regret swapping it w/a buddy. The glass was clearer than any other I ever had. It's been atop a 44 mag Ruger for almost 10 years now shooting 300 grainers. No issues. The reason I swapped it was because it was a blued not matte finish. Purely a cosmetic issue.

I have a 2X6 Simmons scope on mine. I shoot a 300 gr. XTP and 100 grs. of Triple 7 powder. This year I shot a doe at 100 yards. This gun will shoot better than you think.

Iv got a 2.5 Burris on a Lone Eagle it is great out to 100 yds good eye relief and all.

I have used an EOTech 511 on a 223 rifle with good results. With a steady rest hits on milk jugs out to 200 yards are pretty easy as well. Haven't used one on a handgun though but I can't imagine it being all that different. On my hunting revolver I use a 2x Luepold and love it, haven't had any issues with it whatsoever. This isn't the classified section but I am currently thinking about selling the eotech if you want a good deal. Good luck finding the right sight, it's never easy!